Psychology and Neuroscience
Department of Psychology and Neuroscience
Chairperson: Charles A. Weaver, III
Director of the Psy.D. Clinical Psychology Program: Christine Limbers
Director of the Ph.D. Psychology Program: Joaquin Lugo
Psychology (PSY)
See NSC 4312 for course information.
Psychological processes in religious experience and related phenomena with a focus on religious development through the life cycle and the major psychological interpretations.
Professional development through participation in and peer review of public presentation of contemporary research.
A laboratory in group dynamics for Psy.D. students emphasizing interprofessional relationships.
To fulfill requirements for non-thesis master's students who need to complete final degree requirements other than coursework during their last semester. This may include such things as a comprehensive examination, oral examination, or foreign language requirement. Students are required to be registered during the semester they graduate.
Simple and complex analysis of variance and analysis of covariance designs. The general linear model approach, including full-rank and less than full-rank models, will be emphasized.
Principles and methodology underlying scaling techniques, rating devices, psychological tests, and other forms of measurements used in psychology. Includes an introduction to psychometrics and applications to objective personality assessment.
The course examines a variety of complex experimental designs that are available to researchers including split-plot factorial designs, confounded factorial designs, fractional factorial designs, incomplete block designs, and analysis of covariance. The designs are examined within the framework of the general linear model. Extensive use is made of computer software.
Selected topics from correlation, regression, path analysis, and generalized linear models.
See NSC 5311 for course information.
An introduction to item response theory and computerized adaptive testing. Emphasis on the three parameter logistic model. Topics include parameter and ability estimation, item bias, detection of multidimensionality, appropriateness measurement, and Owens-Bayes algorithm.
Mathematical foundations of contemporary psychology.
D. (CPSY) students only. Clinical case formulation, including the assessment and diagnosis of problems, case conceptualization, and treatment planning, based on current theory and research.
Advanced study of current research, theory and practice in evidence-based psychotherapy, interventions, and treatment planning.
See NSC 5319 for course information.
See NSC 5320 for course information.
Current research and theory on normal and psychopathological development of human behavior from conception through senescence.
Application of the methods and techniques of psychology to the problems of designing equipment for efficient human use and the design of man-machine systems.
D or Psy.D. students only, or consent of instructor. An introduction to the biological mechanisms underlying behavior. A review of basic neuroanatomy, neuron function, neurotransmitters, emotional process, language, learning and memory function. Will also review biological correlates of targeted mental disorders such as mood and anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and developmental and cognitive disorders.
The application of current ethical and professional standards to professional practice.
Practice, theory, and research of psychological consultation with couples and families. Emphasis upon systems and interpersonal orientations.
D. students only. Advanced study of integrated assessment, focusing on special populations including gerontology, infant assessment, health-related assessments and additional disorder-based assessments.
Foundations of clinical health psychology, applications of behavioral medicine, and the promotion and maintenance of health.
An exploration of multicultural issues in the delivery of psychological services.
Review of advanced theory and contemporary research in social psychology.
Arrangements are made for Psy.D. candidates to undertake individual scholarly projects under the direction of a clinical psychology professor. Work includes individual study and preparation of a detailed proposal for a project in clinical psychology.
A continuation of PSY 5340, including the execution and completion of the doctoral project.
Advanced study of theory and research in social psychology.
D. students only. The history of psychology, medicine, science, racism, and culture in the United States, with an emphasis on how these components are interconnected, how psychology was born into a racist academic world, and how power systems have served to benefit some and oppress many.
A review of classic personality theory and contemporary personality psychology research.
Training in health care administration, supervision, consultation, program development, and evaluation.
Supervision, development, and evaluation of Psy.D. students in all aspects of their work. Introduction to clinical interviewing skills, therapeutic relationship, theories of psychotherapy, and common factors in psychotherapy and clinical assessment.
Intermediate level practicum experience of supervision, development, and evaluation of Psy.D. students in all aspects of their work.
Advanced practicum experience. Supervision, development, and evaluation of Psy.D. students in all aspects of their work.
Practicum focusing on refining clinical and research skills. Supervision, development, and evaluation of the Psy.D. student in all aspects of her or his work.
Basic scaling theory with emphasis on metric, non-metric, and individual-differences multidimensional scaling models and methodology. Applications of scaling methods to measurement problems in the behavioral and health sciences, education, and business.
Discriminant analysis, canonical correlation analysis, and multivariate analysis of variance.
Exploratory factor analysis with emphasis on applications in the behavioral and health sciences, education, business, including the description and use of available software.
Selected issues in applied statistics.
Introduction to mathematical formulations in a wide range of psychological research including learning theory, decision and choice, reaction time, theory of signal detection, and other selected topics.
Confirmatory factor analysis, path analysis and structural equations models, analysis of covariance structures, least squares and maximum likelihood estimation, and application to psychological processes.
An introduction to multilevel modeling and hierarchical linear modeling in the behavioral sciences. Content includes both the theory behind and the application of multilevel modeling, including the analysis of unconditional models, estimation of effect size, conditional effects, growth curve models, and the analysis of dyadic data.
D. students only. This course is designed to provide an overview of emotional and behavioral disorders of children and adolescents and theoretical foundations and applications of psychological assessment with this population.
Continued study of cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy. Introduction to third wave cognitive-behavioral psychotherapies including dialectical behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, motivational interviewing, mindfulness, theory, and applications. Lab required.
Theory and research of clinical intervention procedures including family therapy used with children and adolescents with psychological disorders.
Theory, research, and practice of systems approaches to group, couples, and family psychotherapy. Experiential practice in refining psychotherapy skills.
D. students only. Current research and theory on cognitive-behavioral therapy approaches to clinical problems.
D. students only. Introduction to assessment principles and approaches. Administration, scoring, and interpretation of intellectual, cognitive, and neuropsychological measures. Introduction to integrated report writing.
Continued study of assessment. Introduction to objective and projective personality measures and disorder-based assessments and integration of the tests with various cognitive, intellectual, or neuropsychological measures. Lab required
For research credit prior to admission to candidacy for an advanced degree. May be repeated for credit.
hrs.
Opportunity for clinical psychology doctoral students to develop further their clinical research skills. Course may be repeated.
Advanced study in an area of psychology not covered by formal courses. Course may be repeated with a different topic of study.
Statistics program. Supervised experience in statistical research, consulting, and teaching. Course may be repeated each semester.
Selected laboratory methods and techniques in Experimental Psychology. May be repeated with change in content. Maximum of 3 credit hours per semester with an overall maximum of 12 credit hours.
Research, data analysis, writing, and oral defense of an approved master’s thesis. At least three hours are required.
Course open only to fourth-year clinical psychology doctoral students who are off campus on internship. Must be taken for three semesters.
Supervised research for developing and writing a Dissertation Prospectus Proposal that will be subject to review and approval by the Supervisory Committee.
Supervised research for the doctoral dissertation. These hours may be distributed over more than one semester.
Neuroscience (NSC)
Laboratory experiments illustrating methods and procedures in Behavioral Neuroscience.
Topics include the role of mind, brain, and behavior in health, disease and wellness; the history, philosophy, and current status of health care systems; physiological and behavioral analyses of stress; psychoneuroimmunology; behavioral factors in cardiovascular disease, cancer, drug abuse, and weight management.
Please see course description for PSY 5100.
To fulfill requirements for non-thesis master's students who need to complete final degree requirements other than coursework during their last semester. This may include such things as a comprehensive examination, oral examination, or foreign language requirement. Students are required to be registered during the semester they graduate.
D or Psy.D. students only, or consent of instructor. An advanced treatment of the study of human cognition. Topics to include memory, language, problem solving, intelligence, and thinking.
Research and theory on sensory and perceptual processes.
Neuroanatomy, brain structure-function relationships, experimental neuropsychology, and biological theories of abnormal behavior.
Methods of theories of learning and Behavioral Analysis.
Introduction to pharmacology with emphasis on drugs that act on the nervous system. Absorption distribution and biotransformation of drugs. Drug receptors, site and mechanism of action.
Electrical and chemical behavior of neurons--excitable membranes, cell physiology of nerve cells, neural conduction, transmission, reception and integration.
Selected topics in physiological psychology, including laboratory.
For research credit prior to admission to candidacy for an advanced degree. May be repeated for credit.
Individual study in areas of neuroscience not covered by formal courses. Meetings are by appointment, and the course may be repeated for credit.
Advanced study in an area of psychology not covered by formal courses. Course may be repeated with a different topic of study.
Advanced study in an area of neuroscience not covered by formal courses. Course may be repeated with a different topic of study.
Selected laboratory methods and techniques in experimental psychology.
Research, data analysis, writing, and oral defense of an approved master’s thesis. At least three hours are required.
Supervised research for developing and writing a Dissertation Prospectus Proposal that will be subject to review and approval by the Supervisory Committee.
Supervised research for the doctoral dissertation. These hours may be distributed over more than one semester.